332 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-XXIV 



months later, at the festival given them at Potsdam, they 

 both renewed their acknowledgments in a cordial way 

 which showed that their patriotic hearts were pleased. 

 Various leading men of the Netherlands and of the con 

 ference also thanked us, and one of them said, &quot;You 

 Americans have taught us a lesson; for, instead of a 

 mere display of fireworks to the rabble of a single city, 

 or a ball or concert to a few officials, you have, in this 

 solemn recognition of Grotius, paid the highest compli 

 ment possible to the entire people of the Netherlands, 

 past, present, and to come. 



July 7. 



In the morning to the great hall of the &quot; House in the 

 Wood,&quot; where the &quot; editing committee&quot; (comite de re 

 daction) reported to the third committee of the confer 

 ence the whole arbitration plan. It struck me most fa 

 vorably, indeed, it surprised me, though I have kept 

 watch of every step. I am convinced that it is better than 

 any of the plans originally submitted, not excepting our 

 own. It will certainly be a gain to the world. 



At the close of the session we adjourned until Monday, 

 the 17th, in order that the delegates may get instructions 

 from their various governments regarding the signing 

 of the protocols, agreements, etc. 



July 8. 



In the evening dined with M. de Mier, the Mexican 

 minister at Paris and delegate here, and had a very in 

 teresting talk with M. Kaffalovitch, to whom I spoke 

 plainly regarding the only road to disarmament. I told 

 him that he must know as well as any one that there 

 is a vague dread throughout Europe of the enormous 

 growth of Russia, and that he must acknowledge that, 

 whether just or not, it is perfectly natural. He acqui 

 esced in this, and I then went on to say that the Emperor 

 Nicholas had before him an opportunity to do more good 

 and make a nobler reputation than any other czar had 



